Launches & Call Outs

Service Calls 1946

Hyperlinked dates lead to launch stories

30th Jan - Charles Dibden rescued crew of the Victory ship Luray Victory after vessel ran aground on the Goodwin Sands.

24th Dec - Charles Dibden rescued crew of the North Eastern Victory after vessel ran aground on the Goodwin Sands.

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David Chamberlain, a local author, has kindly provided articles regarding two wrecks on the Goodwin Sands in 1946. The service calls linked above contain the main stories for each, the introduction below is applicable to both and written by David.

Throughout the winter of 1945 it was a common sight to see the large American Liberty and Victory ships in and around the sea-ways ofthe English Channel. The war had just ended with the defeat of the Nazis and, although Britain was on rationing, it was Europe which was starving and desperate for food. These 7,612 ton Victory ships 'liouId be full of supplies from the vast American nation - which had least been effected from the devastation of the past war. Although there were great similarities between the Victory and the Liberty ships, the Victory was slightly larger with outsized cargo booms and more efficient winches. They also had a faster tum of speed - although designed for l5 knots, the engineers could push the turbines to attain 17 knots. Aptly named, the Victorys were massed produced; with 200 a year being built from 19 American shipyards during 1944.